The Rockland Group, a pioneer in the beverage industry, in partnership with Colombo Hotel Show and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA), has announced the final stage of the 6th Annual Bar Champs competition.

The highly anticipated grand finale will take place on 27 July at Shangri-La Colombo, bringing together Sri Lanka’s most promising bartenders for a vibrant showcase of skill, creativity, and flair.

This year, Bar Champs 2026 attracted over 240 participants from across the island, who took part in a comprehensive workshop series designed to strengthen their technical skills, creativity, and beverage knowledge. The competition also witnessed a record-breaking number of female participants, with 67 women taking part in regional competitions, reflecting the growing interest and opportunities for women within Sri Lanka’s bartending and hospitality industry.

The competition journey commenced with a series of workshops and competitions held across six regions of the country, including the South, Deep South, Negombo, Kandy, Sigiriya Cultural Triangle, and Colombo.

Following these competitions, nine talented bartenders emerged as semi-finalists and have secured their place at the grand finale, where they will compete for the prestigious Bar Champs 2026 title.

As part of their preparation for the finals, the semi-finalists participated in an exclusive Bootcamp at Studio R, Rockland’s Beverage Academy, featuring a masterclass conducted by the award-winning Smoke and Bitters team, led by Co-Founder Don Ranasinghe. Recognised with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award in the run-up to Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and featured among Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Smoke and Bitters brought global expertise and industry insights to help participants refine their craft and elevate their approach to modern mixology.

In addition to this, participants received training on a wide range of topics, including leadership, menu engineering, and practical trade insights, delivered by Rockland Group's leadership team: General Manager – Group Sales & Commercial Strategy, Chathura Ganegoda; General Manager – Imported Wines & Spirits, Danushka Othnapitiya; National Head of Sales, Chandana Wijesinghe; and Rockland beverage specialist, Asif Iqbal.

The semi-finalists were also hosted at the Rockland Distillery, where they were introduced to the heritage and craftsmanship behind Sri Lankan spirits.

Now in its sixth year, Bar Champs continues to strengthen its position as Sri Lanka’s premier bartending competition, providing an invaluable platform for aspiring hospitality professionals to develop their skills, gain industry recognition, and showcase their creativity.

Image Caption -  Bar Champs semi-finalists visit the Rockland Estate to learn the art of toddy tapping